I am posting this drink as a forewarning! Next week, on the 25th of January (and every year prior and subsequently!) is Burns Night! The eve when Scotland celebrates its favorite son, the Ploughman Poet, Robert Burns. The League enjoys a good revel, more so when it has a literary veneer, and so I plan on downing more than a few of these that evening!
- 1 oz Scotch
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1/6 oz Bénédictine
Combine all of your ingredients in a mixing glass. For the Bénédictine, use your bar spoon to measure out the portion. Carefully fill the glass with ice, no splashing! Stir for 15-30 seconds briskly and strain into your chilled cocktail glass. As a garnish, use a twist of lemon. Make sure to strip the peel from the fruit over the glass so all of those oils atomize across the surface of the liquid. Now drink!
Opnions differ from bar to bar as to whether one should use a single malt or blended whiskey in this recipe. However nearly all agree you want to use something in the 12 year range. I have have had it with Dewar's 12 year blended in the past. Next week I shall be having it with Glenfidditch 12 year.
For the vermouth, Noilly Pratt Sweet Vermouth is acceptable.
Sláinte!